Translational medicine proposal discussion

Opponents of the translational medicine sales tax on the ballot next month in Jackson County are holding what’s billed as a town hall meeting in Independence..

It’s from 6 p.m. to 7:30 Tuesday at the North Independence branch of the Mid-Continent Public Library, 317 West U.S. 24.

Speakers include Brad Bradshaw of Citizens for Responsible Research, Linda Vogel of the League of Women Voters and Jim Fitzpatrick of Citizens to Stop a Bad Cure.

The half-cent sales tax is on the Nov. 5 ballot. The money raised would go to Children's Mercy Hospital, Saint Luke’s Health System, the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a new foundation to further what’s called translational medical research, bridging the gap between basic research and specific drugs, devices and therapies.